Clyde 2-1 Berwick Rangers

Keith Hamblin

Berwick Rangers failed to put any daylight between themselves and bottom club East Stirling when they went down to a 2-1 defeat at Clyde.

Rangers travelled to Broadwood looking to maintain the form which saw them beat Annan 3-2 in midweek.

But two goals in a minute midway through the first half, by Scott Linton (penalty) and John Gemmill, saw the home side take control of the game.

Ewan McNeil hit a fine strike to pull a goal back for Berwick in the second half, but despite a rallying finish they were unable to force an equaliser and remain just one point ahead of Shire in the basement stakes.

Both sides tested the water in the early exchanges with Chris Smith and Darren Lavery shooting over at opposite ends.

Marvin Andrews headed over for the home side after 23 minutes, and then John Gemmill hit a post with a close range effort after 29.

But the game swung Clyde’s way when they scored twice in a minute to put them in the driving seat.

First of all, they were awarded a penalty when Brian Martin was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box by referee Mike Taylor, and Linton found the net from the spot after 33 minutes, beating Berwick keeper Mark Walters, who had been handed a rare start with Kevin Walker suspended after his sending off against Annan.

Rangers hardly had time to gather their thoughts before they found themselves 2-0 down, Gemmill cushioning a header past Walters from a cross by Smith to double the Bully Wee’s advantage.

Scott McLaughlin pulled a shot wide from distance as Clyde continued to press, and Rangers’ only response of the half was a shot from Lavery just before the break, which he also pulled wide.

In the second half Walters got down well to save from Gemmill, whilst Michael McKenna shot wide at the other end for Berwick.

Robert Wilson headed over from an Allan Walker free kick before manager John Coughlin made a double substitution on the hour, with Dylan Stevenson and Finn Graham replacing Walker and McKenna, in a bid to try and turn things around.

David Gormley shot wide for Clyde, but the changes gave Rangers a boost and Lavery had an effort blocked on the line from a corner, whilst Martin headed wide.

Graham then had a two shots which was saved by Waters before McNeil hit a tremendous half volley from 25 yards out which saw the visitors back in contention at 2-1 after 70 minutes.

McLaughlin had another shot saved by Walters as Clyde tried to force the issue again, whilst at the other end, Stevie Notman had a chance to equalise after 80 minutes, chesting down a corner, but his shot was too high.

The game started to open up and Berwick substitute Sandy Cunningham had a header saved by the keeper, whilst a Gemmill effort was saved by Walters.

Rangers tried desperately to force a late equaliser as the clock started to tick down, with McNeil and Cunningham (twice) getting in shots, but they were unable to find a way through.